Anti-Inflammatory

Proprietary Anti-Inflammatory Complex - Anna Bellina's proprietary formula with:


Alpha Lipoic Acid - ALA is unique, as it is soluble in both water and lipids, so it easily penetrates into the skin. It seems to help protects Vitamins E and C, helping to boost their activity within the cell by "re-energizing" them. It is also converted in the skin into another chemical that has it's own anti-oxidant properties.

Anti-Oxidants - As we age, our innate ability to repair free radical damage diminishes, so more damage occurs than the body can repair. Anti-oxidants in the diet are very important but the skin is the last organ to receive them. Applying anti-oxidants that are absorbed directly into the skin helps prevent free radical damage.

Dimethylaminoethanol - DMAE is used topically, found to increase firmness of the skin, likely because it helps to reduce some linking between proteins in the skin that happens with aging, as well as separate antioxidant properties.

Ferulic Acid - A potent ubiquitous plant anti-oxidant improves chemical stability of the Vitamins C+E and doubled photo-protection to solar-simulated irradiation of skin from 4-fold to approximately 8-fold as measured by both erythema and sunburn cell formation. Inhibition of apoptosis was associated with reduced induction of caspase-3 and caspase-7. This anti-oxidant formulation efficiently reduced thymine dimer formation. This combination of pure natural low molecular weight antioxidants provides meaningful synergistic protection against oxidative stress in skin and should be useful for protection against photo-aging and skin cancer.

Glutathione - Composed of glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine, this little protein is found in all animal tissues, is one of your body's main antioxidants and is very decreased in the skin after skin exposure.

Hyaluronic Acid - Replenishes the skin's natural levels of hyaluronic acid for crucial skin hydration which counteracts the loss of skin volume and fullness that occurs with glycation and aging, helps to tighten loose areas of the skin.

Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate - A non-acid and stable form of Vitamin C, revives aging skin, vital for nourishing collagen, a potent anti-oxidant that can help rejuvenate photo-damaged skin, defends against Reactive Oxygen Species (free radicals), and inhibits MMPs.

Peptides - Cosmeceutical known for smoothing lines and wrinkles, firming skin, reducing sun damage.
Copper - creation of collagen and elastin which decrease with age, non-irritating improvement in fine wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, decreased photo-damage, increases superoxide dismutase levels with 17.8% improvement in skin thickness.

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 - protein-like molecule relaxes muscle under eyes, putting less stress on skin when we blink, squint, preventing formation of new fine lines, wrinkles.

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14 - long term reduction of lines, wrinkles, improves skin brightness.

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-26 - amino acids linked together speeds improvement of active acne blemishes.

Palmitoyl Oligopeptide - simulates collagen, elastin glucosaminoglycan production to promote overall skin health, elasticity, suppleness.

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 - protein-like molecule for skin repair proven to thicken and strengthen skin, reduce wrinkles, fine lines, scars.

Palmitoyl Tripeptide - collagen booster mimics skins natural ability to boost collagen giving long term anti-aging benefits.

Pomegranate - strong anti-oxidant support, provides nutritional support for fibroblast cells in the skin’s dermis, resulting in healthier looking skin.

Quercetin - Has anti-cancer, anti-ulcer, anti-allergy, and anti-inflammatory activities. Protects skin cells from oxidative and chemical pollutant stress.

Pycnogenol - Pycnogenols are 50 times more effective than vitamin E in fighting free radicals -- the Tasmanian-like devils that bounce around in our bodies, banging into healthy cells, damaging DNA, altering biochemical compounds, corroding cell membranes and killing cells outright. They are present in our bodies at all times, emanating from industrial pollution, tobacco smoke, x-rays, car exhaust, ozone and other environmental pollutants. They're ruthless and nondiscriminatory in their actions, and if they hit a good cell hard enough, they can and do cause incredible damage, also contributing to wrinkles and stiff joints. Pycnogenols are, without question, the "superstrain" of bioflavonoids, especially those that come from grape pips, and are the most powerful natural free radical scavenger and anti oxidant yet discovered. They're incredible. Not only does the body absorb them in less than an hour, they also have the unique ability to bond to collagen fibers, rebuilding their cross-links to reverse some of the damage done over the years by injury and free radical attack. They even inhibit the natural enzymes our bodies make that normally break down collagen.

Quercetin - Has anti-cancer, anti-ulcer, anti-allergy, and anti-inflammatory activities. Protects skin cells from oxidative and chemical pollutant stress.

Pycnogenol - Pycnogenols are 50 times more effective than vitamin E in fighting free radicals -- the Tasmanian-like devils that bounce around in our bodies, banging into healthy cells, damaging DNA, altering biochemical compounds, corroding cell membranes and killing cells outright. They are present in our bodies at all times, emanating from industrial pollution, tobacco smoke, x-rays, car exhaust, ozone and other environmental pollutants. They're ruthless and nondiscriminatory in their actions, and if they hit a good cell hard enough, they can and do cause incredible damage, also contributing to wrinkles and stiff joints. Pycnogenols are, without question, the "superstrain" of bioflavonoids, especially those that come from grape pips, and are the most powerful natural free radical scavenger and anti oxidant yet discovered. They're incredible. Not only does the body absorb them in less than an hour, they also have the unique ability to bond to collagen fibers, rebuilding their crosslinks to reverse some of the damage done over the years by injury and free radical attack. They even inhibit the natural enzymes our bodies make that normally break down collagen.

Resveratrol - Anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, vasodilator, stimulates cellular proliferation and collagen synthesis.

Superoxide Dismutase - This super anti-oxidant helps prevent aging by eliminating the chain reactions that are caused by free radicals.

Ubiquinone - CoEnzyme Q-10 anti-oxidant is chemical works within the cell's mitochondria (a little energy creating organ found within each cell) to help create energy and it helps to reduce damage of certain proteins even better than vitamin E.

White Tea - The strongest tea anti-oxidant of all the teas. Potent natural anti-oxidants found in white tea extract can help protect skin from the visible aging effects of inflammation and oxidative stress. In a human trial measuring improvement in the signs of skin aging in 63 women (aged 45-61 years) after treatment with a topical mixture containing 8% blueberry extract and a hyaluronic acid-synthesizing ingredient, the results showed improvement in the appearance of:

* Fine lines (over 80% improvement)
* Deep wrinkles (over 80% improvement)
* Firmness and elasticity (over 60% improvement)
* Overall appearance (over 80% improvement)
* Tactile roughness (almost 100% improvement)

Quercetin - is a naturally occurring flavonoid compound found in most plant tissues but particularly abundant in Evening Primrose, Mayapple, Onion and Green Tea. This Chirally Correct form has anti-cancer, anti-ulcer, anti-allergy, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory activities that have been attributed to Quercetin's antioxidant properties. Applied topically, it will protect skin cells from oxidative stress induced by Glutathione depletion, in synergy with Ascorbic Acid and preventing the carcinogenic effects of some chemical pollutants. It also protects the membrane lipid of skin cells from peroxidation when exposed to UV light. Another interesting property of Quercetin is its anti-elastase activity, i.e. it inhibits the activity of the endogenous enzyme responsible for the breakdown of elastin, a component crucial to skin elasticity. It has additional properties: antibacterial, anti-viral, analgesic, anti-tumor and it protects capillaries.

Superoxide Dismutase - is the skin's own anti-oxidant enzyme, which acts as an environmental protectant by neutralizing the common superoxide ion. In the human body, the main chain-breaking antioxidants are the water-soluble Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and the lipid soluble D-Alpha-Tocopherol (Chirally Correct Vitamin E). SOD is a particularly stable enzyme that converts the destructive superoxide radical into a less dangerous form, hydrogen peroxide which will, in turn, be converted into water and normal oxygen. Superoxide radicals are formed in a number of metabolic reactions, including lipid peroxidation, initiated by light or metal ions. This process is the cause of rancidity of oils, but it also happens in live tissues and may be a cause of cancer, inflammatory diseases, atherosclerosis, aging, etc. One of the reasons why the Superoxide radicals are so dangerous is because they start chain reactions in which more and more free radicals are formed, reacting with all the cell constituents and causing havoc wherever they go. In our cells, we have our own Superoxide Dismutase, but we can protect our skin by supplementing them with topically applied SOD. The fact that SOD is unlikely to enter live cells is not a problem because lipid peroxidation occurs everywhere in the skin, not just in the live cells. The role of SOD is to eliminate the free radicals resulting from lipid peroxidation and to prevent the chain reactions that would eventually reach deeper into the skin, and the topical application of SOD will certainly help to achieve this aim.

Beta-Glucan - are carbohydrates that provide good long-term moisturizing and skin softening benefits while enhancing your skin's immune system. Also, calms your skin when it is experiencing immune reactions. Calming your skin is important because it helps prevent damaging free radical cascades, a major factor in aging.

Vitamin B Complex - includes a number of natural vitamins with diverse functions, including B1 (Thiamin), B2 (Riboflavin), B3, B6 (Pyridoxine), B9 (Folic acid), B12 (Cyanocobalamin), Panthotenic Acid and Biotin. The topical application of Vitamin B complex increases your skin's resistance to irritation by noxious chemicals, photo aging and prevents immuno-suppression and skin cancer, caused by UV irradiation. Some of the skin problems shown by diabetes patients have to do with Vitamin B complex deficiency. Oraia contains a powerful percentage of vitamins - which is why you detect a vitamin scent in the product.

Royal Jelly - is healing, and soothing and contains a variety of natural chemicals and enzymes, some of them synthesized by the plant, others synthesized by the bee. Honey has been found to have antibacterial and anti-fungal activity.

Arginine/Lysine Amino Acid Polypeptides - is a peptide that acts as a sugar trap, binding sugar in the body to help prevent the formation of AGEs.

Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Ceramides - assist in keeping the lipid barrier of your skin intact. The need for an intact, healthy and functional lipid barrier is critical for maintaining the health of your skin on the inside and to maximize your skin's youthful appearance on the outside. Topically applying the correct lipids will assist in maintaining the structure of the lipid barrier and improving the health and beauty of your skin.

Ascorbic Acid - Vitamin C is naturally derived from vegetables and citrus fruits. Like Vitamin E, Vitamin C is considered an important component in repairing free radicals and preventing them from becoming cancerous or accelerating the aging process. Vitamin C is also the most common antioxidant found in the skin. The skin is the organ that suffers most from environmental stressors. Smoking, sun exposure and pollution rob the nutrient from our bodies. Even minimal UV exposure can decrease the Vitamin C levels in the skin by 30 percent, while exposure from the ozone of city pollution can decrease the level by 55 percent. If you do not have enough Vitamin C, you will have difficulty in producing collagen. Vitamin C deficiency will cause cross-linking of collagen and elastin (the fibers become disorganized bundles instead of fibers that are lined up properly), which often results in sagging skin and deep lines. Topical application of Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) stimulates cllagen production and works as a powerful antioxidant to combat destructive free radicals.

Alpha-Tocopherol - experts consider Vitamin E to be the most important anti-oxidant because it protects cell membranes and prevents damage to enzymes associated with them. Laboratory studies suggest Vitamin E helps to inactivate free radicals, making them less likely to cause damage. Several other studies have shown that by applying Vitamin E to the skin, it can reduce the damage caused by sun exposure and limit the production of cancer-causing cells. Chirally Correct Vitamin E repairs and heals.

Squalane - an emollient that helps bring moisture into the epidermal lipid layer. It is derived from Squalene, a triterpene present in olive oil. It is a great lubricant, emollient and moisturizer. It is also non-toxic, non-irritating, hypoallergenic and non-sensitizing. Squalane dissolves in the skin lipids, facilitating the permeation of the active ingredients; it also prevents the loss of water from the skin, improving your skin's appearance and its health.

Resveratrol - from red wine are powerful anti-aging and antioxdant ingredients. Resveratrol can also help in the treatment of skin problems caused by stress. Because Resveratrol is considered such an amazing anti-aging ingredient, entire skin care product lines have been built on this one ingredient, however it is only one of a host of other amazing ingredients in Oraia. Resveratrol properties are many: anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, vasodilator, stimulator of cellular proliferation and collagen synthesis, inhibitor of proteases; and it blocks the deleterious effects from UVB radiation. Polydatin works together with Resveratrol, boosting its overall effectiveness.

Glucosamine - from the Chinese Foxglove plant. It is the most abundant amino sugar. Amino sugars are important components of Glycoproteins, Glycosphingolipids and Glycosaminoglycans. Being a smaller molecule than its biochemical offspring (e.g. Chitin or NaPCA or Mucin), D-Beta Glucosamine penetrates more deeply and helps to strengthen your skin. Besides its role as a "building block", D-Beta Glucosamine is one of the many small molecular weight chemicals that when applied topically, alleviates skin dryness, facilitates exfoliation, and increases the smoothness of your skin.

Aloe Vera - obtained from the Aloe Barbadensis plant. Aloe Vera improves skin hydration, is an anti-inflammatory and aids healing of cuts, grazes, burns and insect bites. It prevents immune suppression caused by harmful UVB rays. It contains a pharmacologically active chemical, Emodin, responsible for anti-tumor activity. The Polysaccharides, including the Acetylated Mannans, seem to give Aloe its immuno-stimulant properties. Aloe Vera's role in burn healing may be related to its capacity to accelerate the turnover of collagen. Also present in Aloe Vera are salicylate and a carboxypeptidase, responsible in part for its anti-inflammatory activity.

Allantoin - is an anti-inflammatory and wound healer. Allantoin is a very effective skin protectant, and is used in hand sanitizers because of its antimicrobial activity. Naturally present in the human body in small concentrations, it is an oxygen radical scavenger and protects the skin from damage by UV radiation. Allantoin, abundant in Comfrey, is responsible for most of the benefits of that plant's extract. Allantoin is a strong and safe keratolytic agent with cell proliferating, healing, and moisturizing properties.

Black Current Seed Oil - provides your skin with comforting Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) and provides relief for skin disorders (such as dry, flaky patches). Black Currant Seed Oil is a rich source of Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) along with other important Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids. Until now the only other source of GLA (after mother's milk) was that of Evening Primrose Oil. New research shows that Black Currant Seed Oil contains double the amount of GLA as Evening Primrose - 17% vs. 8-9%. A study conducted by Dr. Klingman and Dr. Grove at the Skin Study Center of Philadelphia, wanted to see if Black Currant Seed Oil could treat dry skin disorders in the young, enzymatic transformation of dietary lipids in the body. The clinical assessment: "A significant improvement in skin dryness as assessed visually was achieved and a trend toward improved skin texture as assessed tactically also seems to exist for the group. There was a significant reduction in evaporative water loss, as well."

Glutathione - is a also known as the tripeptide glutamylcysteinylglycine, found in AGE Smarter, for the best anti-aging results. Glutathione contains an unusual peptide linkage between the carboxyl group of the glutamate side chain and the amine group of cysteine. The concentration of glutathione in animal cells is 5mM and its sulphydryl group is kept largely in the reduced state. This allows it to act as a sulphydryl buffer, reducing any disulphide bonds formed within cytoplasmic proteins to cysteines. Hence, few, if any, cytoplasmic proteins contain disulphide bonds. Glutathione is also important as a cofactor for the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, in the uptake of amino acids and participates in leucotriene synthesis.

Always free of artificial color, artificial fragrance, chemical preservatives, and of course, cruelty free. Made in the USA.